Hi. I've just had one fitted into my 2010 X1... I'd seen it on eBay and was really intrigued so contacted someone who'd already bought one. It was a bloke in Greece who was really helpful, told me the good and bad bits about it, and even Skyed from his car so I could see how it works.

With a GPS system, being able to get map updates and lexical/pronunciation updates is kind of important. How will that work with a 3rd party unit?Their web site does not install a lot of confidence, although I kind of like Jimmy the SUPERSTAR better than Ms Elaine Tang the Sales Man.

On the plus side, it looks great - lovely big screen that is clearly designed for the X1 and slots perfectly into the cubby hole and looks like it's factory fitted. The home screen and menu are clones of the iDrive interface and controllable via the iDrive copy controller that slots in by the handbrake. It comes with iGo navigation on an SD card which, so far, has been fine - quick to boot, find satellites etc and easy to use on the big screen. Some may find it a bit dated (doesn't have lane assist photo imagery etc) but I'm pretty happy with it and the routes appear to be better than on my Garmin. It came with 2012 maps, which can be updated on the SD card and I downloaded a file for UK speed cameras - all working ok. I got a reverse camera (optional) which is great, really clear picture even at night and switches on/off automatically when I put the car into reverse. Can-Bus works ok too.

On the negative side (and I had been advised of this beforehand - it's not what I wanted the unit for but could make a difference if you do), the audio quality is in no way comparable with the head unit. I don't use it as a media player or for bluetooth (car already has USB and bluetooth which are much better quality). Also, I rarely have any volume on the navigation TTS direction messages - the GPS audio comes through a separate attached speaker, not through the car's stereo. Doesn't bother me (as I very rarely use it) though it may be a deal breaker if that's important to you. Unit is touch screen (not controllable via the iDrive style knob and button device) outside the main menu.

On the plus side, it looks great - lovely big screen that is clearly designed for the X1 and slots perfectly into the cubby hole and looks like it's factory fitted.

How hard was the installation? Their video shows front and center consoles coming apart. How about the backup - hard to get to the backup light circuit? Wiring from the rear to the console? Would love details, as installation seems much harder than the purchase... Thanks and enjoy!

I can understand that for music playback and bluetooth it's not ideal and it's better to stick to the BMW Business Radio functions, but other than GPS what else is it good for? Any apps, wifi (or tethering), or other functions that it's nice for?

How hard was the installation? Their video shows front and center consoles coming apart. How about the backup - hard to get to the backup light circuit? Wiring from the rear to the console? Would love details, as installation seems much harder than the purchase... Thanks and enjoy!

Thank you. A local independent car audio specialist fitted it for me. Took about 2 hours including the rear camera fittings. They said it was straightforward to fit and all wiring was included. It doesn't need any coding as it only feeds from the can bus, it doesn't send anything to it. I think they ran the cables for the rear camera round the inside trim to the stereo connection.

I don't have a trim removal kit and the instructions that came with it were basic to say the least, though the fella in Greece who I spoke to did it all himself.

I can understand that for music playback and bluetooth it's not ideal and it's better to stick to the BMW Business Radio functions, but other than GPS what else is it good for? Any apps, wifi (or tethering), or other functions that it's nice for?

Really it's a fancy navigation unit with a very good copy of the iDrive menu interface and reversing camera, plus media - good images, poor sound. No wifi, apps, tethering or other functions. Maybe you can get a firmware update which could add some features but I haven't looked into this. I have a feeling there's a Dynavin unit that can take Android apps, though it's quite a lot more money.

Hi, i'm a Chinese X1 owner and i don't have i-drive for my X1 18i MT. Actually Chinese electronics has other stuff, very much original cic look alike.
Nevertheless, i want to ask if i can upgrade original CIC compatible with I-drive system.

I bought mine through an eBay seller, though there are quite a lot of sellers for these. It's the same unit and the only difference between these units to look out for (I think) is that some have digital TV receivers and some analogue TV.

I installed the Hualingan one in my X1.
It has certain good things, nice big touch screen, good IGO gps view, great rear view camera issue, can connect iphone, usb, audio aux.
But bad things, sometimes slow to connect to satellites, the phonebook with the bluetooth orders with phone number instead of with names, and the microphone to speak is much worse that the bmw previously installed with my car.
I had to retrofit the cable to return using the original bluetooth phone connection with the professional radio.
I can answer your questions if needed.